Toronto foot specialist honoured to be chosen for "Meet the Masters"
posted: Nov. 11, 2013.
A few days ago, I had the honour of being asked to be on the podiatry internet radio show, "Meet the Masters", to be broadcast Tuesday evening, November 12, 2013.
"The goal (of the series) is to provide an in-depth analysis of each master interviewed and learn their process step by step so others can mirror their success." The program is available to podiatrists in Canada, the United States and 22 other countries worldwide. The podiatrists chosen to be interviewed are considered among the best podiatrists in the United States, Canada, and the world.
Obviously, I am thrilled to have this opportunity.
I have been asked to discuss and explain how I perform Minimally Invasive Surgery, also called minimal incision surgery, or ambulatory foot surgery.
This refers to a set of techniques that allow podiatrists to correct common foot problems such as Bunions, Hammertoes Corns and Bone Spurs, and pain from dropped metatarsals [also called metatarsalgia]. The procedures are performed using specialized instruments that allow us to work through very small openings in the skin. This generally results in much less soft tissue trauma, which usually means less postoperative pain, swelling and downtime compared to traditional, hospital surgery.
I am able to perform these procedures in my office using local anesthetic, and have been doing so for more than 30 years. Patients are able to walk immediately, they tend to get back to their normal activities quicker, and generally only require Aspirin, Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Casts and crutches are rarely needed. We use an adhesive tape dressing, instead.
I was fortunate to be introduced to the techniques when I was doing a foot surgery residency in Philadelphia. I was taught by Abram Plon, D.P.M. of Philadelphia and Marvin Arnold D.P.M., of Cleveland. I refined my skills by attending numerous conferences sponsored by The Academy of Ambulatory Foot and Ankle Surgery. I am currently a fellow of the Academy, as well as a clinical instructor and a member of the Board of Trustees and have had the opportunity to teach minimally invasive foot surgery to foot surgeons from many different countries.
"Minimal incision surgery (ambulatory surgery), is a technique that has roots in the history of our profession and has made a resurgence. While at the World Congress, I learned how MIS surgery is growing throughout Europe. Please join me live Tuesday night with an international panel of top ambulatory surgeons from Canada and the USA as we discuss progress, techniques and results." - Brett Ribotsky, DPM, host of "Meet the Masters".